Integration of Dusty the wheaten Marans rooster has gone okay, considering. He is definitely not alpha. His sweetness may even be stupidity, compared to my free-range raised flock. He’s also very clunky, both on his feet and with the ladies. I get the feeling he didn’t get quite the stimulation and exercise (and possibly the nutrition) that he is getting now at his last home. But he is able to hang in the outskirts and even interact with the ladies now, without getting chased off (too much). His gait is getting better. Not so heavy footed. He roosts with the rest of them just fine, even if he is one of the last to go in for the night. He’s quickly become endearing. He makes these cute noises, unlike any of my others. And he gets bolder when he sees me around. Because I’m not tolerating any meanness beyond normal pecking order stuff.
No blood drawn yet, anyway.